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Canadian PM Repeats Concern With US NMD Plan
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien repeated concern Thursday with the National Missile Defense (NMD) plan being pushed forward by the United States.
At a joint press conference with visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Chretien said the situation related to the proposed NMD could cause problem.
It is important to maintain stability for economy, the prime minister noted.
Chretien said he and Blair have exchanged views on the issue, especially the strong opposition from China and Russia to NMD, on which even NATO members have difference. Chretien said he and Blair do not "disagree very much."
He said he does not see the NMD system as reality, but as a plan which is open to dialogue. It's a decision to be made by the US administration, the prime minister said.
Blair, who arrived here Wednesday night for his first visit as prime minister, did not elaborate on what he shares with or differs from his Canadian counterpart in terms of NMD.
He is expected to end his 25-hour visit Thursday and meet with new U.S. President George W. Bush on the NMD issue Friday. Blair is reported to face strong domestic political opposition if he were to yield to Washington by allowing the United States to build NMD radar sites in the UK, but without the protection shield from the proposed NMD system.
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